short balls: paris says au revior to the french?

Once little-confirmed rumors have reached the top of tennis’s tier, as this week the tournament director for the French Open said that there is a good chance that the tournament might say good bye to its current grounds inside the Paris city limits because of future growth plans. A bigger tourney means a new place? We’re not sure if we like that.

Tennis. It’s healthy. The USPTA, the professional organization of tennis teaching pros, announced a re-design of tennis-health.com. Though the layout doesn’t threaten the design of today’s top pro’s sites, we’ve gotta hand it to the folks at the USPTA for their continued commitment to health and tennis. Forgot tennis was a lifelong sport? Shame on you!

Partytown, USA. We’re sad to be missing a barrage of parties this week in Miami that are happening in line with the Sony Ericsson Open. FILA‘s Friday Night bash will be most missed on our calendar, along with their fashion show on Saturday. There’s two mixology sessions that have our mouths watering. Best we get to Miami for some fashion and drinks (and yes, some tennis!), next year.

So Long, Butch. The founder of what is known today as the Sony Ericsson Open, Butch Bucholz, is retiring from his position as chairman of the event after nearly three decades with the event, which many called tennis’s “Fifth Major”.

Missing Serena? Venus is there. Venus Williams will be the lone sister in Miami competing for the family. She takes a ten-match win streak into the tournament. Her last loss came to Li Na at the Australian Open.